Homebound

Chapter 29

           "Done!" Asher cheers as he shuts the ignition on the lawnmower. He noticed that the grass has grown a bit too long for his taste and offered Laura to help cut it. She refused at first, probably because she didn't want to bother him, but he did it anyway. It's gotten easier to look at Laura without feeling hurt. He's decided she can't be blamed for not telling him about Robert being his father. She did her duty as a wife and stuck by her husband's side; Asher respects that. However, his heart refuses to let go of the tiny grudge against her.

          He goes to the living room where Laura is working on her latest project for work, wiping sweat from his brow.

         "I'm finished shredding the grass. Any more yard work before I shower?"

         "Nothing, dear. Thanks a lot."

          "Are you sure? I know you're going to deny help because you don't want to bother me." Asher bluntly states. Laura never asks him to complete tasks anymore. He doesn't need to bring his laundry down, wash the dishes, clean the car, etc. He's a king and everyone bows him. In another world, that is Asher's dream state of being. He wouldn't have to lift a finger. Now, it annoys him that he is not helping around the house. All the work has given him a purpose. He feels like an asset to the family, not a burden. Laura turns a shade pink before sending him a warm smile.

           "I'm sure, dear. Go shower and relax. We're going out for dinner to the Delancey's. You'll need the energy." Laura returns to her work while Asher continues to stare at her, willing her to change her mind. 'I'm not going to tear your head if you ask me to something for you.' Asher wants to tell her. 'I can handle a few instructions.'

            Just as he begins to climb the stairs, Joshua's high pitched squeal sounds from the front door, "Asher! My ball got stuck in the tree!" Asher sighs. This again. Since the weather has been stunning, Joshua resorted to playing outside with friends. At first, Asher encouraged the idea as Joshua spent an unhealthy amount of time on his Xbox. However, these kids don't know how to kick a ball. They always manage to get the ball trapped on the branches of the neighbor's tree, and Asher is the only capable human to rescue the object.

            Once Asher steps outside, he is swarmed by children and their hands grabbing at his hands to drag him to where they got the ball stuck. He doesn't bother to shake them; he secretly enjoys their need for him. Asher frowns at how high the ball is placed. They must have had an intense game of kickball. Luckily, Asher isn't afraid of heights. He starts to climb the tree, familiar with the feel of the bark under his palm.

             "Be careful!" A little girl with pigtails screams. Asher rolls his eyes; he's done this many times before and doesn't need a warning. He's always cautious while ascending the tree. He continues to focus on his mission, but it's hard when sweat is dripping down your forehead and the hair sticks to it. He'll just wipe it away at the top. He's not dumb enough to pause halfway.

              "You got it!" The children cheer as Asher throws the ball down. He lets out a puff as an attempt to move his bangs from his face. As Asher releases his left hand to remove the sweat, his right hand follows suit. It was a natural reaction; Asher uses both his hand to move his sweat and hair from his face. Asher feels himself losing grip, and terror seizes all his sense. The first thing that comes to mind is Laura and Robert. He still hasn't made peace with them, and now he never will. Branches whip him on his descent; a few successfully hit his head. At the last moment, common sense overrides his fear. He manages to grab a branch, and that stops him from smashing into the ground. He's left hanging a few feet from the ground, shocked that he is alive.

             "Asher! Are you ok?" A few children cry out in worry.

              "I told you to be careful!" The girl from before reprimands but is the first to hug him when his feet touch the earth. He's glad of it because he's feeling lightheaded.

               Asher looks at Joshua and asks him to help him to the house. The problem is that Joshua isn't Joshua.

               "I'm Brady."

               "Don't play with my head right now. I just fell off a tree." Asher tsks at Joshua's prank.

              "He isn't Joshua; I am." The actual Joshua appears with Delilah and Laura.

              "There's two of you? Plot twist." Asher backs up and throws up on his shoes. "Now, that's gross."

               "We're taking you to the hospital. Delilah, run and get him a new pair of shoes." Laura addresses her only daughter as she locks arms with Asher to lead him to the car.

               "I'd rather go to sleep." Asher yawns.

                                                                                        *******

                A concussion, scratches, and bruises. Doctor's orders are for Asher to rest up because there is no cure for a concussion. Asher thinks that science has advanced to the point where they should have found a cure. He can't do too much of anything. At least he can sleep; that's his favorite past time. After Laura adjusted him and left to get ready for her dinner plans, Asher did exactly that. He doesn't know what time it is when he wakes up, but he sees Laura sitting on his office chair. He raises himself slowly and rubs his eyes.

              "I thought you went to the Delanceys."

               "You're awake." Laura looks up from her book and smiles in relief, "I decided not to. I didn't feel comfortable leaving you alone."

                 "Oh. You didn't have to do that for me. I can't get into any trouble while in bed." Asher teases her. He assumes she didn't want to leave him because he's bound to do something rebellious.

                "It's not about you going against doctor's orders. You're injured, and I want to stay with you in case you need anything. It's my responsibility to watch over you, and I let you get hurt." Tears well up in Laura's eyes. It's not just this incident that has Laura crying. It's her failure the first time to guard Asher as her own. Asher isn't the same with her anymore. He keeps his distance, and she can't blame him. Laura is a selfish monster. She doesn't deserve a chance at redemption from her previous mistake.

                  "Don't cry," Asher begs. The thing he hates most in the world is to see Laura cry. It hurts him more than the worst physical blow.

                 "I'm sorry, Asher." Laura tries to pull herself together but fails miserably. She only breaks down harder. Asher motions for her to come to sit by his bed which she obliges. He wipes her tears away and then holds her hands in his.

                 "Laura, I'm not upset at you for leaving me as a baby. I was not your child. You didn't need to become a mother. You also were fulfilling your obligation as a wife by hiding the fact Robert is my father. It's just-" His voice cracks despite his effort to be the strong one. "I'd really have liked a mom."

                Laura pulls Asher into her, and they sit a long time embracing each other. Asher realizes how much Laura's hug means to him. They make him feel protected and warm. Laura wouldn't have let go, but the family has returned home.

                 "I forgive you, Laura," Asher says when she's about to leave his room to deal with Joshua and his pre-sleep habits. Laura smiles widely and tears of sadness become tears of joy. "Only if you stop crying."

                  She laughs heartily and nods her head. "Even with a concussion, you manage to make me happy." Asher grins from ear to ear. He feels as if a burden has been lifted from his heart. The heavy anchor of hate that imprisoned him has been broken off. He's capable of loving. To forgive another not only betters the other but yourself. Asher wishes that he threw away the garbage that is his grudge a long time ago. 

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